Why don't I ever get jury duty when I want it?
CNN reports that Severina Vuckovic, the Croation version of Madonna, is in court over a video tape that she alleges was stolen from her and subsequently made available on a website. Her attorneys want to have the video shown in court to determine if Ms. Vuckovic had "demonstrated anything not previously seen in the porn industry" which could qualify for copyright.
The CNN story below says that the video has been downloaded 10 million times. Hmmm, the population of Croatia is only 4.4 million.
Dear Ashlee Simpson,
Well, it was a close call, but I'm afraid that your publicity stunt only gets second prize this week. Please feel free to try again later.
CNN.com - Singer: Show my?sex video in court - Oct 29, 2004
Friday, October 29, 2004
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Look at what Terrorists are doing now - Registering to Vote
Republicans are challenging ACORN for registering to vote an alleged terrorist. Its apparently not true. But if it were, how is that really a national security threat. Let's say that Osama BL himself registered to vote. Come election day, he shows up at the polls, presents his ID, votes, and starts to head back to his cave. At that point, can't the Department of Homeland Security zoom in and get him?
Michelle Malkin and NewsMax falsely claimed ACO ... [Media Matters for America]
Republicans are challenging ACORN for registering to vote an alleged terrorist. Its apparently not true. But if it were, how is that really a national security threat. Let's say that Osama BL himself registered to vote. Come election day, he shows up at the polls, presents his ID, votes, and starts to head back to his cave. At that point, can't the Department of Homeland Security zoom in and get him?
Michelle Malkin and NewsMax falsely claimed ACO ... [Media Matters for America]
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Reality distorted in Photo iPod roll-out?
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is known for the "reality distortion field" that he can cast over an audience when he is making a presentation. Yesterday's Photo iPod rollout appears to be no exception.
My first impression when I read about the Photo iPod was to gush about it. Hey, in a device the size of the original iPod, you have up to 60 gigabytes of storage, as much as 10 DVD's. You get a color display and video output. You can play your photos on a television. What can you not play on the television - video. Although it has a video output, it has no motion video capabilities - nada. Steve Jobs says that's an asset. I say it's reality distortion. First, Here's what Jobs has to say: (Quoting Jonathan Seff of Macworld.com)
He showed a picture of Creative?s Zen Portable Media Center as an example of what other companies are adding to digital music players?video. He then showed a clip from the film Raiders of the Lost Ark?you know, the scene where Harrison Ford and John Rhys-Davies are excited to find that the Nazis are ?digging in the wrong place? for the Ark of the Covenant. Jobs? point was that, like the sinister-if-bumbling villains in Raiders, these other companies are making a mistake, mostly because there isn?t any content available for video players (unlike music for the iPod and competing devices). Apple concluded that photos were the way to go?everyone has plenty of those, and there are no problem with rights and ownership (also unlike music).
No content? how about homemade video?
My $200 Kodak digital camera, like most these days can record low resolution MPEG files with sound, and can play them back on a television. I have already used it as a quick, dirty and light camcorder. Most camcorders can take stills, some up to 2 mp. In the coming year, there will be more of a convergence between digital cameras & camcorders. With a gigabyte sd memory card around $100 and falling about 50% a year, in about 2 years, you can have a camcorder the size of deck of cards with no disk drive at all that can record an hour of video with DVD quality. Instead, you might decide to get one with a hard disk so that lots of videos can be archived. While you are at it, you might as well put in a picture viewer and digital music player - essentially, an ipod.
In the alternative, you could separate the camera module from the data storage module and have them communicate over wi-fi or bluetooth, kind of like a wireless version of the old camera and tapedecks that made up home video rigs of the early 1980s, only a lot smaller.
Actually, there is no technical reason why the photo iPod couldn't play back video. It is transparent that Apple did not implement MPEG playback capability because of digital rights management issues. It's only a matter of time before these issues get worked out. In the meantime, Apple decided that it couldn't wait for someone else to take over the market for color digital music (and photo) players. So the Photo iPod is a stopgap. Perhaps motion video can be added as a software upgrade later, but unless you need a photo player now, I say, wait six months or a year. Son of Photo iPod will be a lot more flexible and a lot more powerful.
MacCentral: Socks, Photos, and Rock �n� Roll
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is known for the "reality distortion field" that he can cast over an audience when he is making a presentation. Yesterday's Photo iPod rollout appears to be no exception.
My first impression when I read about the Photo iPod was to gush about it. Hey, in a device the size of the original iPod, you have up to 60 gigabytes of storage, as much as 10 DVD's. You get a color display and video output. You can play your photos on a television. What can you not play on the television - video. Although it has a video output, it has no motion video capabilities - nada. Steve Jobs says that's an asset. I say it's reality distortion. First, Here's what Jobs has to say: (Quoting Jonathan Seff of Macworld.com)
He showed a picture of Creative?s Zen Portable Media Center as an example of what other companies are adding to digital music players?video. He then showed a clip from the film Raiders of the Lost Ark?you know, the scene where Harrison Ford and John Rhys-Davies are excited to find that the Nazis are ?digging in the wrong place? for the Ark of the Covenant. Jobs? point was that, like the sinister-if-bumbling villains in Raiders, these other companies are making a mistake, mostly because there isn?t any content available for video players (unlike music for the iPod and competing devices). Apple concluded that photos were the way to go?everyone has plenty of those, and there are no problem with rights and ownership (also unlike music).
No content? how about homemade video?
My $200 Kodak digital camera, like most these days can record low resolution MPEG files with sound, and can play them back on a television. I have already used it as a quick, dirty and light camcorder. Most camcorders can take stills, some up to 2 mp. In the coming year, there will be more of a convergence between digital cameras & camcorders. With a gigabyte sd memory card around $100 and falling about 50% a year, in about 2 years, you can have a camcorder the size of deck of cards with no disk drive at all that can record an hour of video with DVD quality. Instead, you might decide to get one with a hard disk so that lots of videos can be archived. While you are at it, you might as well put in a picture viewer and digital music player - essentially, an ipod.
In the alternative, you could separate the camera module from the data storage module and have them communicate over wi-fi or bluetooth, kind of like a wireless version of the old camera and tapedecks that made up home video rigs of the early 1980s, only a lot smaller.
Actually, there is no technical reason why the photo iPod couldn't play back video. It is transparent that Apple did not implement MPEG playback capability because of digital rights management issues. It's only a matter of time before these issues get worked out. In the meantime, Apple decided that it couldn't wait for someone else to take over the market for color digital music (and photo) players. So the Photo iPod is a stopgap. Perhaps motion video can be added as a software upgrade later, but unless you need a photo player now, I say, wait six months or a year. Son of Photo iPod will be a lot more flexible and a lot more powerful.
MacCentral: Socks, Photos, and Rock �n� Roll
Holden Torana Concept - Wow This car is Beautiful
You have got to click on the link below and see the Holden Torana. This concept car, unveiled at the Sydney auto show is the best looking GM car (other than a Corvette) in my memory. I love the red color with just a hint of purple and the white (yes, white) interior. GMInsidenews says taht the Torana is based on a new platform, the Kappa architecture, and that it is likely to be the basis of a 4-door Pontiac and a 2-door Chevrolet coupe.
Pontiac, don't change a thing, just put the steering wheel on the other side, and send it over pronto.
GMInsideNews Forums - Future Pontiac? Holden Torana Concept Unveiled!
You have got to click on the link below and see the Holden Torana. This concept car, unveiled at the Sydney auto show is the best looking GM car (other than a Corvette) in my memory. I love the red color with just a hint of purple and the white (yes, white) interior. GMInsidenews says taht the Torana is based on a new platform, the Kappa architecture, and that it is likely to be the basis of a 4-door Pontiac and a 2-door Chevrolet coupe.
Pontiac, don't change a thing, just put the steering wheel on the other side, and send it over pronto.
GMInsideNews Forums - Future Pontiac? Holden Torana Concept Unveiled!
New Model News from Pontiac
Pontiac Torrent SUV
V-8 Grand Prix
Pontiac announced a new SUV model, the Torrent (stupid name). Judging from the photo (linked below) and the information released, the Torrent is basically a Chevy Equinox with a new grill. (Yes Virginia, badge-engineering is alive at GM.) It will fill the slot vacated by the Pontiac Aztek. (No, not the slot of the "world's ugliest car".) The Torrent is due spring 2006.
The Grand Prix will get the 5.3 liter GM V-8. Variable displacement is said to improve fuel economy 15%.
Google Image Result for http://gminsidenews.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10284/normal_WHOLE%20NEW%20GM%20PART%20ONE%20PONTIAC%20VIBE.jpg
Pontiac Torrent SUV
V-8 Grand Prix
Pontiac announced a new SUV model, the Torrent (stupid name). Judging from the photo (linked below) and the information released, the Torrent is basically a Chevy Equinox with a new grill. (Yes Virginia, badge-engineering is alive at GM.) It will fill the slot vacated by the Pontiac Aztek. (No, not the slot of the "world's ugliest car".) The Torrent is due spring 2006.
The Grand Prix will get the 5.3 liter GM V-8. Variable displacement is said to improve fuel economy 15%.
Google Image Result for http://gminsidenews.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10284/normal_WHOLE%20NEW%20GM%20PART%20ONE%20PONTIAC%20VIBE.jpg
New Model News from Pontiac
Pontiac Torrent SUV
V-8 Grand Prix
Pontiac announced a new SUV model, the Torrent (stupid name). Judging from the photo (linked below) and the information released, the Torrent is basically a Chevy Equinox with a new grill. (Yes Virginia, badge-engineering is alive at GM.) It will fill the slot vacated by the Pontiac Aztek. (No, not the slot of the "world's ugliest car".) The Torrent is due spring 2006.
The Grand Prix will get the 5.3 liter GM V-8. Variable displacement is said to improve fuel economy 15%.
Google Image Result for http://gminsidenews.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10284/normal_WHOLE%20NEW%20GM%20PART%20ONE%20PONTIAC%20VIBE.jpg
Pontiac Torrent SUV
V-8 Grand Prix
Pontiac announced a new SUV model, the Torrent (stupid name). Judging from the photo (linked below) and the information released, the Torrent is basically a Chevy Equinox with a new grill. (Yes Virginia, badge-engineering is alive at GM.) It will fill the slot vacated by the Pontiac Aztek. (No, not the slot of the "world's ugliest car".) The Torrent is due spring 2006.
The Grand Prix will get the 5.3 liter GM V-8. Variable displacement is said to improve fuel economy 15%.
Google Image Result for http://gminsidenews.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10284/normal_WHOLE%20NEW%20GM%20PART%20ONE%20PONTIAC%20VIBE.jpg
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Apple announces 60 GB Color iPod
Hold 15,000 songs or 25,000 photos in the palm of your hand $599. Not a bad toy.
Apple - iPod Photo
Hold 15,000 songs or 25,000 photos in the palm of your hand $599. Not a bad toy.
Apple - iPod Photo
Chrysler & Ford to Expand Employee Discounts to Friends of Employees
The Detroit News reports that both Chrysler and Ford have announced plans to allow employees to allow a limited number of friends to purchase vehicles at employee prices. As you know fellow 3357ers, this was the discount that we received at the latest contract, and now everybody else (almost) is in line for the same thing. Oh, well.
It's not clear from the story whether either automaker's policy is a national or regional plan. The Ford plan allows employees to purchase at Dealer invoice price. The Chrysler plan allows for employee purchases at 4-5% below dealer cost.
The real losers in this appear to be the salespeople at the dealers. Except in dealers that do a large volume of employee business, the rank and file salespeople either make no commission or a very limited amount on the employee sales. The employee sales are routed either to a person dedicated to employee sales or through the "fleet" department. By the way, internet sales are similar, they either go through an internet manager or through the fleet manager.
For the salespeople, the rise in nontraditional sales at car dealerships has made an already difficult job even more difficult. It's just another example of how the world is changing. None of us have the right to have the same job that our mother or father had.
Public will share Ford, DaimlerChrysler discounts - 10/26/04
The Detroit News reports that both Chrysler and Ford have announced plans to allow employees to allow a limited number of friends to purchase vehicles at employee prices. As you know fellow 3357ers, this was the discount that we received at the latest contract, and now everybody else (almost) is in line for the same thing. Oh, well.
It's not clear from the story whether either automaker's policy is a national or regional plan. The Ford plan allows employees to purchase at Dealer invoice price. The Chrysler plan allows for employee purchases at 4-5% below dealer cost.
The real losers in this appear to be the salespeople at the dealers. Except in dealers that do a large volume of employee business, the rank and file salespeople either make no commission or a very limited amount on the employee sales. The employee sales are routed either to a person dedicated to employee sales or through the "fleet" department. By the way, internet sales are similar, they either go through an internet manager or through the fleet manager.
For the salespeople, the rise in nontraditional sales at car dealerships has made an already difficult job even more difficult. It's just another example of how the world is changing. None of us have the right to have the same job that our mother or father had.
Public will share Ford, DaimlerChrysler discounts - 10/26/04
Sudan - Not a good place to be a woman - now or ever
The Googleteer(tm) just flew in, and we had a discussion about the genocide in Sudan. If you are a woman in Sudan, they kill your father, husband and brothers, abduct your children, take your livestock, burn your home, and gang-rape you repeatedly. Then they send you to camp to starve or die of disease. What do you have to look forward to when life is back to normal? Female Circumcision. It's almost enough to make you want to move to Afghanistan.
Google Search: sudan "female circumcision"
The Googleteer(tm) just flew in, and we had a discussion about the genocide in Sudan. If you are a woman in Sudan, they kill your father, husband and brothers, abduct your children, take your livestock, burn your home, and gang-rape you repeatedly. Then they send you to camp to starve or die of disease. What do you have to look forward to when life is back to normal? Female Circumcision. It's almost enough to make you want to move to Afghanistan.
Google Search: sudan "female circumcision"
Monday, October 25, 2004
Shool Bus Demolition Derby? Only in Florida
Last year Auto Week magazine ran a story about a Motorcycle demolition derby held during Bike Week at Daytona Beach. Well, those crazy Floridians have come up with another sport, School Bus Demolition Derby. Check it out.
AutoWeek - The Auto Enthusiast's Online Resource
Last year Auto Week magazine ran a story about a Motorcycle demolition derby held during Bike Week at Daytona Beach. Well, those crazy Floridians have come up with another sport, School Bus Demolition Derby. Check it out.
AutoWeek - The Auto Enthusiast's Online Resource
Are there systematic problems with high end Calypso and Neptune Washing Machines?
Last year, my family bought a Kenmore Calypso washing machine. I paid twice as much as a low-end machine because, according to Consumer Reports, the Calypso delivered good performance, and saved a lot of water. The water savings add up over time to equal or exceed the cost of the washer. We've had no problems with our washer. Anyway, last week we got a mailing from Sears saying that we need to use High Efficiency detergent int he machine. Also, we should clean it once a month and leave the lid open between loads. Although it wasn't stated, the implication was that if we didn't do this, the warranty wouldn't be honored.
This letter from Sears made me curious about what prompted this unsolicited mailing. (We haven't had any problem with our washer. We've had it a little over a year.)
A clarifying note: Whirlpool and Sears (Kenmore) sell washers labeled as Calypso. Maytag sells Neptune. Although the exact mechanism differs between the Calypso and Neptune, both types use a non-traditional method of using vertical cleaning action in a top-load machine instead of the back and forth agitator in a conventional top-loader.
I searched the net over the weekend and found a number of complaints on epinions.com and other sites, but the complaints didn't necessarily form a pattern. There were complaints of mold build up in Calypso and especially Neptune washers. But there were mold complaints about non-high efficiency washers as well. Bottom line, I don't have sufficient evidence to be convinced that there is a systematic problem with these washers, but if you have doubts, you can always buy a cheaper model. Don't let them invalidate your warranty just because you didn't leave the lid up or run a cleaning cycle. Your maintenance requirements can't be changed after the purchase.
For a fairly neutral look at Calypso and Neptune warranty issues, check out the site below.
Washing Machines Product Reviews and Reports by Consumer Search - ConsumerSearch.com
Last year, my family bought a Kenmore Calypso washing machine. I paid twice as much as a low-end machine because, according to Consumer Reports, the Calypso delivered good performance, and saved a lot of water. The water savings add up over time to equal or exceed the cost of the washer. We've had no problems with our washer. Anyway, last week we got a mailing from Sears saying that we need to use High Efficiency detergent int he machine. Also, we should clean it once a month and leave the lid open between loads. Although it wasn't stated, the implication was that if we didn't do this, the warranty wouldn't be honored.
This letter from Sears made me curious about what prompted this unsolicited mailing. (We haven't had any problem with our washer. We've had it a little over a year.)
A clarifying note: Whirlpool and Sears (Kenmore) sell washers labeled as Calypso. Maytag sells Neptune. Although the exact mechanism differs between the Calypso and Neptune, both types use a non-traditional method of using vertical cleaning action in a top-load machine instead of the back and forth agitator in a conventional top-loader.
I searched the net over the weekend and found a number of complaints on epinions.com and other sites, but the complaints didn't necessarily form a pattern. There were complaints of mold build up in Calypso and especially Neptune washers. But there were mold complaints about non-high efficiency washers as well. Bottom line, I don't have sufficient evidence to be convinced that there is a systematic problem with these washers, but if you have doubts, you can always buy a cheaper model. Don't let them invalidate your warranty just because you didn't leave the lid up or run a cleaning cycle. Your maintenance requirements can't be changed after the purchase.
For a fairly neutral look at Calypso and Neptune warranty issues, check out the site below.
Washing Machines Product Reviews and Reports by Consumer Search - ConsumerSearch.com
Are there systematic problems with high end Calypso and Neptune Washing Machines?
Last year, my family bought a Kenmore Calypso washing machine. I paid twice as much as a low-end machine because, according to Consumer Reports, the Calypso delivered good performance, and saved a lot of water. The water savings add up over time to equal or exceed the cost of the washer. We've had no problems with our washer. Anyway, last week we got a mailing from Sears saying that we need to use High Efficiency detergent int he machine. Also, we should clean it once a month and leave the lid open between loads. Although it wasn't stated, the implication was that if we didn't do this, the warranty wouldn't be honored.
This letter from Sears made me curious about what prompted this unsolicited mailing. (We haven't had any problem with our washer. We've had it a little over a year.)
A clarifying note: Whirlpool and Sears (Kenmore) sell washers labeled as Calypso. Maytag sells Neptune. Although the exact mechanism differs between the Calypso and Neptune, both types use a non-traditional method of using vertical cleaning action in a top-load machine instead of the back and forth agitator in a conventional top-loader.
I searched the net over the weekend and found a number of complaints on epinions.com and other sites, but the complaints didn't necessarily form a pattern. There were complaints of mold build up in Calypso and especially Neptune washers. But there were mold complaints about non-high efficiency washers as well. Bottom line, I don't have sufficient evidence to be convinced that there is a systematic problem with these washers, but if you have doubts, you can always buy a cheaper model. Don't let them invalidate your warranty just because you didn't leave the lid up or run a cleaning cycle. Your maintenance requirements can't be changed after the purchase.
For a fairly neutral look at Calypso and Neptune warranty issues, check out the site below.
Washing Machines Product Reviews and Reports by Consumer Search - ConsumerSearch.com
Last year, my family bought a Kenmore Calypso washing machine. I paid twice as much as a low-end machine because, according to Consumer Reports, the Calypso delivered good performance, and saved a lot of water. The water savings add up over time to equal or exceed the cost of the washer. We've had no problems with our washer. Anyway, last week we got a mailing from Sears saying that we need to use High Efficiency detergent int he machine. Also, we should clean it once a month and leave the lid open between loads. Although it wasn't stated, the implication was that if we didn't do this, the warranty wouldn't be honored.
This letter from Sears made me curious about what prompted this unsolicited mailing. (We haven't had any problem with our washer. We've had it a little over a year.)
A clarifying note: Whirlpool and Sears (Kenmore) sell washers labeled as Calypso. Maytag sells Neptune. Although the exact mechanism differs between the Calypso and Neptune, both types use a non-traditional method of using vertical cleaning action in a top-load machine instead of the back and forth agitator in a conventional top-loader.
I searched the net over the weekend and found a number of complaints on epinions.com and other sites, but the complaints didn't necessarily form a pattern. There were complaints of mold build up in Calypso and especially Neptune washers. But there were mold complaints about non-high efficiency washers as well. Bottom line, I don't have sufficient evidence to be convinced that there is a systematic problem with these washers, but if you have doubts, you can always buy a cheaper model. Don't let them invalidate your warranty just because you didn't leave the lid up or run a cleaning cycle. Your maintenance requirements can't be changed after the purchase.
For a fairly neutral look at Calypso and Neptune warranty issues, check out the site below.
Washing Machines Product Reviews and Reports by Consumer Search - ConsumerSearch.com
Are there systematic problems with high end Calypso and Neptune Washing Machines?
Last year, my family bought a Kenmore Calypso washing machine. I paid twice as much as a low-end machine because, according to Consumer Reports, the Calypso delivered good performance, and saved a lot of water. The water savings add up over time to equal or exceed the cost of the washer. We've had no problems with our washer. Anyway, last week we got a mailing from Sears saying that we need to use High Efficiency detergent int he machine. Also, we should clean it once a month and leave the lid open between loads. Although it wasn't stated, the implication was that if we didn't do this, the warranty wouldn't be honored.
This letter from Sears made me curious about what prompted this unsolicited mailing. (We haven't had any problem with our washer. We've had it a little over a year.)
A clarifying note: Whirlpool and Sears (Kenmore) sell washers labeled as Calypso. Maytag sells Neptune. Although the exact mechanism differs between the Calypso and Neptune, both types use a non-traditional method of using vertical cleaning action in a top-load machine instead of the back and forth agitator in a conventional top-loader.
I searched the net over the weekend and found a number of complaints on epinions.com and other sites, but the complaints didn't necessarily form a pattern. There were complaints of mold build up in Calypso and especially Neptune washers. But there were mold complaints about non-high efficiency washers as well. Bottom line, I don't have sufficient evidence to be convinced that there is a systematic problem with these washers, but if you have doubts, you can always buy a cheaper model. Don't let them invalidate your warranty just because you didn't leave the lid up or run a cleaning cycle. Your maintenance requirements can't be changed after the purchase.
For a fairly neutral look at Calypso and Neptune warranty issues, check out the site below.
Washing Machines Product Reviews and Reports by Consumer Search - ConsumerSearch.com
Last year, my family bought a Kenmore Calypso washing machine. I paid twice as much as a low-end machine because, according to Consumer Reports, the Calypso delivered good performance, and saved a lot of water. The water savings add up over time to equal or exceed the cost of the washer. We've had no problems with our washer. Anyway, last week we got a mailing from Sears saying that we need to use High Efficiency detergent int he machine. Also, we should clean it once a month and leave the lid open between loads. Although it wasn't stated, the implication was that if we didn't do this, the warranty wouldn't be honored.
This letter from Sears made me curious about what prompted this unsolicited mailing. (We haven't had any problem with our washer. We've had it a little over a year.)
A clarifying note: Whirlpool and Sears (Kenmore) sell washers labeled as Calypso. Maytag sells Neptune. Although the exact mechanism differs between the Calypso and Neptune, both types use a non-traditional method of using vertical cleaning action in a top-load machine instead of the back and forth agitator in a conventional top-loader.
I searched the net over the weekend and found a number of complaints on epinions.com and other sites, but the complaints didn't necessarily form a pattern. There were complaints of mold build up in Calypso and especially Neptune washers. But there were mold complaints about non-high efficiency washers as well. Bottom line, I don't have sufficient evidence to be convinced that there is a systematic problem with these washers, but if you have doubts, you can always buy a cheaper model. Don't let them invalidate your warranty just because you didn't leave the lid up or run a cleaning cycle. Your maintenance requirements can't be changed after the purchase.
For a fairly neutral look at Calypso and Neptune warranty issues, check out the site below.
Washing Machines Product Reviews and Reports by Consumer Search - ConsumerSearch.com
Ashlee Simpson, the world's greatest ventriloquist.
While the rest of the world mistakenly believed that Ashlee Simpson was caught lipsyncing on Saturday Night Live this past weekend, I recognized the truth. Ashlee was demonstrating that she is indeed the best ventriloquist on the planet.
What the Chicago Sun Times calls a "talent misfunction" (clever) was actually talent too rich for the comprehension of mere humans.
Seriously, Ashlee would have stayed out of trouble if she would have seen the Lizzie McGuire Movie. Then she would have realized the trouble you can get into by moving your lips to pre-recorded vocals. See how cultural literacy is important kids?
Ashlee Simpson flees after talent malfunction on 'SNL'
While the rest of the world mistakenly believed that Ashlee Simpson was caught lipsyncing on Saturday Night Live this past weekend, I recognized the truth. Ashlee was demonstrating that she is indeed the best ventriloquist on the planet.
What the Chicago Sun Times calls a "talent misfunction" (clever) was actually talent too rich for the comprehension of mere humans.
Seriously, Ashlee would have stayed out of trouble if she would have seen the Lizzie McGuire Movie. Then she would have realized the trouble you can get into by moving your lips to pre-recorded vocals. See how cultural literacy is important kids?
Ashlee Simpson flees after talent malfunction on 'SNL'
Friday, October 22, 2004
Monorail! Monorail! A Transportation Alternative
My favorite Simpsons episode of all times is the early Monorail episode. It includes my favorite line from Homer. "Donuts, is there anything they can't do?" That episode, by the way, was written by Conan O'Brien. He also wrote one of my favorite Saturday Night Live sketches, Mr. Short Term Memory, with Tom Hanks. Anyway, I digress. I'm posting this link to monorails.org. Are monorails practical transportation? Were they ever. This is basically a "pro" site.
Monorail Society homepage
Also check out . Alweg is the German company that built the monorail system in Seattle for the World's Fair in 1961. Alweg made an unsolicited offer to build a monorail system for Los Angeles for $105 million, that they would finance. A great deal even at that time. Supposedly Standard Oil put the kabosh on it. (Shades of Who Framed Roger Rabbit!)
My favorite Simpsons episode of all times is the early Monorail episode. It includes my favorite line from Homer. "Donuts, is there anything they can't do?" That episode, by the way, was written by Conan O'Brien. He also wrote one of my favorite Saturday Night Live sketches, Mr. Short Term Memory, with Tom Hanks. Anyway, I digress. I'm posting this link to monorails.org. Are monorails practical transportation? Were they ever. This is basically a "pro" site.
Monorail Society homepage
Also check out . Alweg is the German company that built the monorail system in Seattle for the World's Fair in 1961. Alweg made an unsolicited offer to build a monorail system for Los Angeles for $105 million, that they would finance. A great deal even at that time. Supposedly Standard Oil put the kabosh on it. (Shades of Who Framed Roger Rabbit!)
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
2005 Buick LaCrosse
Speaking of Buicks, New Car Testdrive (www.nctd.com) has posted a glowing review of the new Buick LaCrosse.
2005 Buick LaCrosse Review, Prices, Photos: New Car Test Drive
Kerry inching forward in the Electoral Vote
www.electoral-vote.com reports that, although polls overall still show it as a neck&neck race, Kerry is making significant headway in electoral votes.
Kerry keeps moving up in the electoral college. A new Survey USA poll shows he has now inched ahead of Bush in Florida, although his 1% lead means the state is still a statistical tie. Nevertheless, we now show Kerry with more than the critical 270 votes in the electoral college to win. Perhaps more signficant, though, is the fact that in states where Kerry's lead is at least 5%, he has 228 electoral votes. In states where Bush's lead is at least 5%, he has 183 electoral votes. Clearly the race is still wide open.
Speaking of Buicks, New Car Testdrive (www.nctd.com) has posted a glowing review of the new Buick LaCrosse.
2005 Buick LaCrosse Review, Prices, Photos: New Car Test Drive
Kerry inching forward in the Electoral Vote
www.electoral-vote.com reports that, although polls overall still show it as a neck&neck race, Kerry is making significant headway in electoral votes.
Kerry keeps moving up in the electoral college. A new Survey USA poll shows he has now inched ahead of Bush in Florida, although his 1% lead means the state is still a statistical tie. Nevertheless, we now show Kerry with more than the critical 270 votes in the electoral college to win. Perhaps more signficant, though, is the fact that in states where Kerry's lead is at least 5%, he has 228 electoral votes. In states where Bush's lead is at least 5%, he has 183 electoral votes. Clearly the race is still wide open.
Possible coupon settlement in Jiffy Lube "Environmental Charge" Class Action
An Associated Press syndicated story reports that lawyers are "on the verge of verdict" to settle with Jiffy Lube for a $5.00 coupon. The allegation is that Jiffy Lube's "Environmental Charge" added to the price of an oil change is deceptive when recyclers actually pay Jiffy for the used oil. (I agree.) The article goes on to say some lawyers are fighting the coupon settlement. Good for them. I think consumer attorneys who settle for coupon settlements should be paid with coupons. Coupon settlements generally violate the ethical guidelines for class action settlements propounded by the National Association of Consumer Advocates.
Oklahoma Jiffy Lube suit on verge of verdict - The Washington Times: Business - October 16, 2004
An Associated Press syndicated story reports that lawyers are "on the verge of verdict" to settle with Jiffy Lube for a $5.00 coupon. The allegation is that Jiffy Lube's "Environmental Charge" added to the price of an oil change is deceptive when recyclers actually pay Jiffy for the used oil. (I agree.) The article goes on to say some lawyers are fighting the coupon settlement. Good for them. I think consumer attorneys who settle for coupon settlements should be paid with coupons. Coupon settlements generally violate the ethical guidelines for class action settlements propounded by the National Association of Consumer Advocates.
Oklahoma Jiffy Lube suit on verge of verdict - The Washington Times: Business - October 16, 2004
Cadillac Escalade tops Most Stolen List
The most stolen vehicle, the Cadillac Escalade, at 40 thefts per 1000 was 40 times as likely to be stolen as the Buick LeSabre at .4 thefts per 1000 vehicles. I guess Grampa knows a thing or too after all.
Thieves pick Cadillac pickup as their favorite - 10/19/04
The most stolen vehicle, the Cadillac Escalade, at 40 thefts per 1000 was 40 times as likely to be stolen as the Buick LeSabre at .4 thefts per 1000 vehicles. I guess Grampa knows a thing or too after all.
Thieves pick Cadillac pickup as their favorite - 10/19/04
Monday, October 18, 2004
2006 Buick Lucerne
Over the weekend, I took a brief test drive in a Mercury Montego - the Mercury version of the new Ford 500. It was alright. Not great, not bad. Alright. It was roomy. The materials looked better than average. It handled and rode ok. The engine seemed to be working harder than average. One of the cars that the Montego will be competing with is the Buick LeSabre. The LeSabre is set for replacement next year by the Buick Lucerne. Here's a spyshot from thecarconnection.com:
The Car Connection [ The Web's Automotive Authority ]
Based upon the disguised prototype, it's clear that Buick is going in the opposite direction of most of its competitors. It's sticking with swoopy aerodynamic styling and a fairly low roof. The prototype reminds me of the outgoing Dodge Intrepid. I always liked the Intrepid, and I was sorry to see it go in favor of the 300 series. The 300 series is selling like hotcakes, so a lot of folks must disagree with me.
Over the weekend, I took a brief test drive in a Mercury Montego - the Mercury version of the new Ford 500. It was alright. Not great, not bad. Alright. It was roomy. The materials looked better than average. It handled and rode ok. The engine seemed to be working harder than average. One of the cars that the Montego will be competing with is the Buick LeSabre. The LeSabre is set for replacement next year by the Buick Lucerne. Here's a spyshot from thecarconnection.com:
The Car Connection [ The Web's Automotive Authority ]
Based upon the disguised prototype, it's clear that Buick is going in the opposite direction of most of its competitors. It's sticking with swoopy aerodynamic styling and a fairly low roof. The prototype reminds me of the outgoing Dodge Intrepid. I always liked the Intrepid, and I was sorry to see it go in favor of the 300 series. The 300 series is selling like hotcakes, so a lot of folks must disagree with me.
Afscme 3357 is famous in Hawaii
From the University of Hawaii's Center for Labor Education and Research's Clear Newsletter:
Denial of Paid Sick Leave Challenged in FMLA Situation
An employer improperly denied an employee the use of paid sick leave for time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act, said arbitrator Robert E. Allen.
An attorney working for the United Auto Workers Legal Services Plans in St. Louis took time off under the FMLA to care for her ill husband. She attempted to claim two weeks of paid sick leave for the time off, but the employer charged two weeks of annual leave instead. The attorney was represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which grieved over the leave substitution. AFSCME Local 3357 cited a contract provision stating that when "a staff attorney's spouse or dependent child is ill or disabled and requires the care of the staff attorney, the staff attorney can use sick leave to provide care." The employer argued that the use of annual leave in such situations was a longstanding past practice to which the union had acquiesced.
Calling the collective bargaining agreement's language about the use of sick leave in such situations "clear and unambiguous," Allen upheld the grievance. As for the past practice claim, the employer's own defense of its policy cited eight similar FMLA leave requests. In two cases, there were grievances, and in two others, managers ignored the annual leave policy. Given this evidence, Allen said he found it "difficult to conclude such a practice was mutually accepted" or "consistent" (UAW-Legal Services Plans, 119 LA 1217 (Allen, 2004)). [CLEAR Source: BNA's Union Labor Report (7-30-04), p. 127]
CLEAR Newsletter
From the University of Hawaii's Center for Labor Education and Research's Clear Newsletter:
Denial of Paid Sick Leave Challenged in FMLA Situation
An employer improperly denied an employee the use of paid sick leave for time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act, said arbitrator Robert E. Allen.
An attorney working for the United Auto Workers Legal Services Plans in St. Louis took time off under the FMLA to care for her ill husband. She attempted to claim two weeks of paid sick leave for the time off, but the employer charged two weeks of annual leave instead. The attorney was represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which grieved over the leave substitution. AFSCME Local 3357 cited a contract provision stating that when "a staff attorney's spouse or dependent child is ill or disabled and requires the care of the staff attorney, the staff attorney can use sick leave to provide care." The employer argued that the use of annual leave in such situations was a longstanding past practice to which the union had acquiesced.
Calling the collective bargaining agreement's language about the use of sick leave in such situations "clear and unambiguous," Allen upheld the grievance. As for the past practice claim, the employer's own defense of its policy cited eight similar FMLA leave requests. In two cases, there were grievances, and in two others, managers ignored the annual leave policy. Given this evidence, Allen said he found it "difficult to conclude such a practice was mutually accepted" or "consistent" (UAW-Legal Services Plans, 119 LA 1217 (Allen, 2004)). [CLEAR Source: BNA's Union Labor Report (7-30-04), p. 127]
CLEAR Newsletter
George W. Bush Quote of the Day:
I'm not the expert on how the Iraqi people think, because I live in America, where it's nice and safe and secure.
DubyaSpeak.com : : We record the damage.: "
A St. Peter Joke
A man died and went to heaven. As he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly
Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him.
He asked, "What are all those clocks?"
St. Peter answered, "Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone on Earth has a Lie-Clock.
Every time you lie the hands on your clock will move."
"Oh," said the man, "whose clock is that?"
"That's Mother Teresa's. The hands have never moved, indicating that she never
told a lie."
"Incredible" said the man. "And whose clock is that one?"
St. Peter responded, "That's Abraham Lincoln's clock. The hands have moved
twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire life."
"Where's George W. Bush's clock?" asked the man."
I'm not the expert on how the Iraqi people think, because I live in America, where it's nice and safe and secure.
DubyaSpeak.com : : We record the damage.: "
A St. Peter Joke
A man died and went to heaven. As he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly
Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him.
He asked, "What are all those clocks?"
St. Peter answered, "Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone on Earth has a Lie-Clock.
Every time you lie the hands on your clock will move."
"Oh," said the man, "whose clock is that?"
"That's Mother Teresa's. The hands have never moved, indicating that she never
told a lie."
"Incredible" said the man. "And whose clock is that one?"
St. Peter responded, "That's Abraham Lincoln's clock. The hands have moved
twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire life."
"Where's George W. Bush's clock?" asked the man."
Friday, October 15, 2004
The HCCI engine - throw away your spark plugs
CMS?The Internal Combustion Engine at Work: "omogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI). "
CMS?The Internal Combustion Engine at Work: "omogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI). "
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Where to buy Clothes Union Made in the USA?
Try Union Jean & Apparel. They have solid-looking jeans for $29.95
Denim Jeans: Union Jean and Apparel Co.
Try Union Jean & Apparel. They have solid-looking jeans for $29.95
Denim Jeans: Union Jean and Apparel Co.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Bush - Kerry Chose Trial Lawyers over Doctors - Are you mad because they wouldn't let you into the club?
George W. Bush told an audience of supporters that John Kerry chose to reach out to lawyers rather than doctors when he chose John Edwards as a running mate. It has been reported (but not frequently enough) that George W. Bush applied to law school at the University of Texas, but was not accepted. Are you mad because we wouldn't let you into the shark club, George? Is that why you get this pissed-off face whenever you talk about lawyers.
I'm sorry they didn't let you in George. I You might have learned something about due process. You might have learned something about an independent judiciary. You might have learned something about separation of church & state. You might have learned that when a doctor commits malpractice enough, and damages enough people, that doctor might have problems getting insurance. Eventually, that doctor gets out of business and stops killing and maiming people. If enough bad doctors get out of the profession, then malpractice rates (both rates of injuries and insurance rates) go down.
Instead of law school, you went to business school. Now, if there is one thing they teach you in business school it's that there's no such thing as a free lunch. But that can't be right, how can we not have record deficits and lowered taxes, especially for the rich?
Google Search: bush "applied to law school" university of texas
George W. Bush told an audience of supporters that John Kerry chose to reach out to lawyers rather than doctors when he chose John Edwards as a running mate. It has been reported (but not frequently enough) that George W. Bush applied to law school at the University of Texas, but was not accepted. Are you mad because we wouldn't let you into the shark club, George? Is that why you get this pissed-off face whenever you talk about lawyers.
I'm sorry they didn't let you in George. I You might have learned something about due process. You might have learned something about an independent judiciary. You might have learned something about separation of church & state. You might have learned that when a doctor commits malpractice enough, and damages enough people, that doctor might have problems getting insurance. Eventually, that doctor gets out of business and stops killing and maiming people. If enough bad doctors get out of the profession, then malpractice rates (both rates of injuries and insurance rates) go down.
Instead of law school, you went to business school. Now, if there is one thing they teach you in business school it's that there's no such thing as a free lunch. But that can't be right, how can we not have record deficits and lowered taxes, especially for the rich?
Google Search: bush "applied to law school" university of texas
Howard Stern gets Sirius
Last week, shock jock Howard Stern announced that he would be moving his radio show to the Sirius satellite service in 2006. Sirius so far has been in a week second place in the satellite radio business as compared to rival XM. According to the Wall Street Journal, Sirius has a little over 600,000 subscribers, and last year had revenue of about 12 million. This makes it both gutsy and surprising for Sirius to announce what was termed a $500 million multi-year package with Howard Stern. The CNN article linked below said that the annual budget for Howard Stern's show, including his and other salaries, is about $100 milliion per year. How much of that is cocaine?
Howard Sterns leaves commercial radio - Oct. 6, 2004
Last week, shock jock Howard Stern announced that he would be moving his radio show to the Sirius satellite service in 2006. Sirius so far has been in a week second place in the satellite radio business as compared to rival XM. According to the Wall Street Journal, Sirius has a little over 600,000 subscribers, and last year had revenue of about 12 million. This makes it both gutsy and surprising for Sirius to announce what was termed a $500 million multi-year package with Howard Stern. The CNN article linked below said that the annual budget for Howard Stern's show, including his and other salaries, is about $100 milliion per year. How much of that is cocaine?
Howard Sterns leaves commercial radio - Oct. 6, 2004
Friday, October 08, 2004
Senator Robert Byrd
Pork Barrel politician or wise statesman. Until recently, my opinion of Senator Robert Byrd was that he was an anachronism. I thought he stood for the worst kind of pork barrel politics. Whenever his name came up it was in conjunction with some special project for West Virginia. In recent times, however, this septuagenarian has had the courage to speak up in when others have just taken the path of least resistance. I ran across this speech of his from May 21, 2003, almost a year and a half ago. He outlined almost line for line the reasons why Bush and Cheney were being less than honest about the war in Iraq, and why our involvement there would not be the mission accomplished that was being touted. Since it is from all appearances in the public domain, I'm going to lift the entire speech and reprint it. I found it at the site below.
Truth has a way of asserting itself despite all attempts to obscure it. Distortion only serves to derail it for a time. No matter to what lengths we humans may go to obfuscate facts or delude our fellows, truth has a way of squeezing out through the cracks, eventually.
But the danger is that at some point it may no longer matter. The danger is that damage is done before the truth is widely realized. The reality is that, sometimes, it is easier to ignore uncomfortable facts and go along with whatever distortion is currently in vogue. We see a lot of this today in politics. I see a lot of it -- more than I would ever have believed -- right on this Senate Floor.
Regarding the situation in Iraq, it appears to this Senator that the American people may have been lured into accepting the unprovoked invasion of a sovereign nation, in violation of long-standing International law, under false premises. There is ample evidence that the horrific events of September 11 have been carefully manipulated to switch public focus from Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda who masterminded the September 11th attacks, to Saddam Hussein who did not. The run up to our invasion of Iraq featured the President and members of his cabinet invoking every frightening image they could conjure, from mushroom clouds, to buried caches of germ warfare, to drones poised to deliver germ laden death in our major cities. We were treated to a heavy dose of overstatement concerning Saddam Hussein's direct threat to our freedoms. The tactic was guaranteed to provoke a sure reaction from a nation still suffering from a combination of post traumatic stress and justifiable anger after the attacks of 911. It was the exploitation of fear. It was a placebo for the anger.
Since the war's end, every subsequent revelation which has seemed to refute the previous dire claims of the Bush Administration has been brushed aside. Instead of addressing the contradictory evidence, the White House deftly changes the subject. No weapons of mass destruction have yet turned up, but we are told that they will in time. Perhaps they yet will. But, our costly and destructive bunker busting attack on Iraq seems to have proven, in the main, precisely the opposite of what we were told was the urgent reason to go in. It seems also to have, for the present, verified the assertions of Hans Blix and the inspection team he led, which President Bush and company so derided. As Blix always said, a lot of time will be needed to find such weapons, if they do, indeed, exist. Meanwhile Bin Laden is still on the loose and Saddam Hussein has come up missing.
The Administration assured the U.S. public and the world, over and over again, that an attack was necessary to protect our people and the world from terrorism. It assiduously worked to alarm the public and blur the faces of Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden until they virtually became one.
What has become painfully clear in the aftermath of war is that Iraq was no immediate threat to the U.S. Ravaged by years of sanctions, Iraq did not even lift an airplane against us. Iraq's threatening death-dealing fleet of unmanned drones about which we heard so much morphed into one prototype made of plywood and string. Their missiles proved to be outdated and of limited range. Their army was quickly overwhelmed by our technology and our well trained troops.
Presently our loyal military personnel continue their mission of diligently searching for WMD. They have so far turned up only fertilizer, vacuum cleaners, conventional weapons, and the occasional buried swimming pool. They are misused on such a mission and they continue to be at grave risk. But, the Bush team's extensive hype of WMD in Iraq as justification for a preemptive invasion has become more than embarrassing. It has raised serious questions about prevarication and the reckless use of power. Were our troops needlessly put at risk? Were countless Iraqi civilians killed and maimed when war was not really necessary? Was the American public deliberately misled? Was the world?
What makes me cringe even more is the continued claim that we are "liberators." The facts don't seem to support the label we have so euphemistically attached to ourselves. True, we have unseated a brutal, despicable despot, but "liberation" implies the follow up of freedom, self-determination and a better life for the common people. In fact, if the situation in Iraq is the result of "liberation," we may have set the cause of freedom back 200 years.
Despite our high-blown claims of a better life for the Iraqi people, water is scarce, and often foul, electricity is a sometime thing, food is in short supply, hospitals are stacked with the wounded and maimed, historic treasures of the region and of the Iraqi people have been looted, and nuclear material may have been disseminated to heaven knows where, while U.S. troops, on orders, looked on and guarded the oil supply.
Meanwhile, lucrative contracts to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure and refurbish its oil industry are awarded to Administration cronies, without benefit of competitive bidding, and the U.S. steadfastly resists offers of U.N. assistance to participate. Is there any wonder that the real motives of the U.S. government are the subject of worldwide speculation and mistrust?
And in what may be the most damaging development, the U.S. appears to be pushing off Iraq's clamor for self-government. Jay Garner has been summarily replaced, and it is becoming all too clear that the smiling face of the U.S. as liberator is quickly assuming the scowl of an occupier. The image of the boot on the throat has replaced the beckoning hand of freedom. Chaos and rioting only exacerbate that image, as U.S. soldiers try to sustain order in a land ravaged by poverty and disease. "Regime change" in Iraq has so far meant anarchy, curbed only by an occupying military force and a U.S. administrative presence that is evasive about if and when it intends to depart.
Democracy and Freedom cannot be force fed at the point of an occupier's gun. To think otherwise is folly. One has to stop and ponder. How could we have been so impossibly naive? How could we expect to easily plant a clone of U.S. culture, values, and government in a country so riven with religious, territorial, and tribal rivalries, so suspicious of U.S. motives, and so at odds with the galloping materialism which drives the western-style economies?
As so many warned this Administration before it launched its misguided war on Iraq, there is evidence that our crack down in Iraq is likely to convince 1,000 new Bin Ladens to plan other horrors of the type we have seen in the past several days. Instead of damaging the terrorists, we have given them new fuel for their fury. We did not complete our mission in Afghanistan because we were so eager to attack Iraq. Now it appears that Al Queda is back with a vengeance. We have returned to orange alert in the U.S., and we may well have destabilized the Mideast region, a region we have never fully understood. We have alienated friends around the globe with our dissembling and our haughty insistence on punishing former friends who may not see things quite our way.
The path of diplomacy and reason have gone out the window to be replaced by force, unilateralism, and punishment for transgressions. I read most recently with amazement our harsh castigation of Turkey, our longtime friend and strategic ally. It is astonishing that our government is berating the new Turkish government for conducting its affairs in accordance with its own Constitution and its democratic institutions.
Indeed, we may have sparked a new international arms race as countries move ahead to develop WMD as a last ditch attempt to ward off a possible preemptive strike from a newly belligerent U.S. which claims the right to hit where it wants. In fact, there is little to constrain this President. Congress, in what will go down in history as its most unfortunate act, handed away its power to declare war for the foreseeable future and empowered this President to wage war at will.
As if that were not bad enough, members of Congress are reluctant to ask questions which are begging to be asked. How long will we occupy Iraq? We have already heard disputes on the numbers of troops which will be needed to retain order. What is the truth? How costly will the occupation and rebuilding be? No one has given a straight answer. How will we afford this long-term massive commitment, fight terrorism at home, address a serious crisis in domestic healthcare, afford behemoth military spending and give away billions in tax cuts amidst a deficit which has climbed to over $340 billion for this year alone? If the President's tax cut passes it will be $400 billion. We cower in the shadows while false statements proliferate. We accept soft answers and shaky explanations because to demand the truth is hard, or unpopular, or may be politically costly.
But, I contend that, through it all, the people know. The American people unfortunately are used to political shading, spin, and the usual chicanery they hear from public officials. They patiently tolerate it up to a point. But there is a line. It may seem to be drawn in invisible ink for a time, but eventually it will appear in dark colors, tinged with anger. When it comes to shedding American blood - - when it comes to wreaking havoc on civilians, on innocent men, women, and children, callous dissembling is not acceptable. Nothing is worth that kind of lie - - not oil, not revenge, not reelection, not somebody's grand pipedream of a democratic domino theory.
And mark my words, the calculated intimidation which we see so often of late by the "powers that be" will only keep the loyal opposition quiet for just so long. Because eventually, like it always does, the truth will emerge. And when it does, this house of cards, built of deceit, will fall.
Pork Barrel politician or wise statesman. Until recently, my opinion of Senator Robert Byrd was that he was an anachronism. I thought he stood for the worst kind of pork barrel politics. Whenever his name came up it was in conjunction with some special project for West Virginia. In recent times, however, this septuagenarian has had the courage to speak up in when others have just taken the path of least resistance. I ran across this speech of his from May 21, 2003, almost a year and a half ago. He outlined almost line for line the reasons why Bush and Cheney were being less than honest about the war in Iraq, and why our involvement there would not be the mission accomplished that was being touted. Since it is from all appearances in the public domain, I'm going to lift the entire speech and reprint it. I found it at the site below.
Truth has a way of asserting itself despite all attempts to obscure it. Distortion only serves to derail it for a time. No matter to what lengths we humans may go to obfuscate facts or delude our fellows, truth has a way of squeezing out through the cracks, eventually.
But the danger is that at some point it may no longer matter. The danger is that damage is done before the truth is widely realized. The reality is that, sometimes, it is easier to ignore uncomfortable facts and go along with whatever distortion is currently in vogue. We see a lot of this today in politics. I see a lot of it -- more than I would ever have believed -- right on this Senate Floor.
Regarding the situation in Iraq, it appears to this Senator that the American people may have been lured into accepting the unprovoked invasion of a sovereign nation, in violation of long-standing International law, under false premises. There is ample evidence that the horrific events of September 11 have been carefully manipulated to switch public focus from Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda who masterminded the September 11th attacks, to Saddam Hussein who did not. The run up to our invasion of Iraq featured the President and members of his cabinet invoking every frightening image they could conjure, from mushroom clouds, to buried caches of germ warfare, to drones poised to deliver germ laden death in our major cities. We were treated to a heavy dose of overstatement concerning Saddam Hussein's direct threat to our freedoms. The tactic was guaranteed to provoke a sure reaction from a nation still suffering from a combination of post traumatic stress and justifiable anger after the attacks of 911. It was the exploitation of fear. It was a placebo for the anger.
Since the war's end, every subsequent revelation which has seemed to refute the previous dire claims of the Bush Administration has been brushed aside. Instead of addressing the contradictory evidence, the White House deftly changes the subject. No weapons of mass destruction have yet turned up, but we are told that they will in time. Perhaps they yet will. But, our costly and destructive bunker busting attack on Iraq seems to have proven, in the main, precisely the opposite of what we were told was the urgent reason to go in. It seems also to have, for the present, verified the assertions of Hans Blix and the inspection team he led, which President Bush and company so derided. As Blix always said, a lot of time will be needed to find such weapons, if they do, indeed, exist. Meanwhile Bin Laden is still on the loose and Saddam Hussein has come up missing.
The Administration assured the U.S. public and the world, over and over again, that an attack was necessary to protect our people and the world from terrorism. It assiduously worked to alarm the public and blur the faces of Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden until they virtually became one.
What has become painfully clear in the aftermath of war is that Iraq was no immediate threat to the U.S. Ravaged by years of sanctions, Iraq did not even lift an airplane against us. Iraq's threatening death-dealing fleet of unmanned drones about which we heard so much morphed into one prototype made of plywood and string. Their missiles proved to be outdated and of limited range. Their army was quickly overwhelmed by our technology and our well trained troops.
Presently our loyal military personnel continue their mission of diligently searching for WMD. They have so far turned up only fertilizer, vacuum cleaners, conventional weapons, and the occasional buried swimming pool. They are misused on such a mission and they continue to be at grave risk. But, the Bush team's extensive hype of WMD in Iraq as justification for a preemptive invasion has become more than embarrassing. It has raised serious questions about prevarication and the reckless use of power. Were our troops needlessly put at risk? Were countless Iraqi civilians killed and maimed when war was not really necessary? Was the American public deliberately misled? Was the world?
What makes me cringe even more is the continued claim that we are "liberators." The facts don't seem to support the label we have so euphemistically attached to ourselves. True, we have unseated a brutal, despicable despot, but "liberation" implies the follow up of freedom, self-determination and a better life for the common people. In fact, if the situation in Iraq is the result of "liberation," we may have set the cause of freedom back 200 years.
Despite our high-blown claims of a better life for the Iraqi people, water is scarce, and often foul, electricity is a sometime thing, food is in short supply, hospitals are stacked with the wounded and maimed, historic treasures of the region and of the Iraqi people have been looted, and nuclear material may have been disseminated to heaven knows where, while U.S. troops, on orders, looked on and guarded the oil supply.
Meanwhile, lucrative contracts to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure and refurbish its oil industry are awarded to Administration cronies, without benefit of competitive bidding, and the U.S. steadfastly resists offers of U.N. assistance to participate. Is there any wonder that the real motives of the U.S. government are the subject of worldwide speculation and mistrust?
And in what may be the most damaging development, the U.S. appears to be pushing off Iraq's clamor for self-government. Jay Garner has been summarily replaced, and it is becoming all too clear that the smiling face of the U.S. as liberator is quickly assuming the scowl of an occupier. The image of the boot on the throat has replaced the beckoning hand of freedom. Chaos and rioting only exacerbate that image, as U.S. soldiers try to sustain order in a land ravaged by poverty and disease. "Regime change" in Iraq has so far meant anarchy, curbed only by an occupying military force and a U.S. administrative presence that is evasive about if and when it intends to depart.
Democracy and Freedom cannot be force fed at the point of an occupier's gun. To think otherwise is folly. One has to stop and ponder. How could we have been so impossibly naive? How could we expect to easily plant a clone of U.S. culture, values, and government in a country so riven with religious, territorial, and tribal rivalries, so suspicious of U.S. motives, and so at odds with the galloping materialism which drives the western-style economies?
As so many warned this Administration before it launched its misguided war on Iraq, there is evidence that our crack down in Iraq is likely to convince 1,000 new Bin Ladens to plan other horrors of the type we have seen in the past several days. Instead of damaging the terrorists, we have given them new fuel for their fury. We did not complete our mission in Afghanistan because we were so eager to attack Iraq. Now it appears that Al Queda is back with a vengeance. We have returned to orange alert in the U.S., and we may well have destabilized the Mideast region, a region we have never fully understood. We have alienated friends around the globe with our dissembling and our haughty insistence on punishing former friends who may not see things quite our way.
The path of diplomacy and reason have gone out the window to be replaced by force, unilateralism, and punishment for transgressions. I read most recently with amazement our harsh castigation of Turkey, our longtime friend and strategic ally. It is astonishing that our government is berating the new Turkish government for conducting its affairs in accordance with its own Constitution and its democratic institutions.
Indeed, we may have sparked a new international arms race as countries move ahead to develop WMD as a last ditch attempt to ward off a possible preemptive strike from a newly belligerent U.S. which claims the right to hit where it wants. In fact, there is little to constrain this President. Congress, in what will go down in history as its most unfortunate act, handed away its power to declare war for the foreseeable future and empowered this President to wage war at will.
As if that were not bad enough, members of Congress are reluctant to ask questions which are begging to be asked. How long will we occupy Iraq? We have already heard disputes on the numbers of troops which will be needed to retain order. What is the truth? How costly will the occupation and rebuilding be? No one has given a straight answer. How will we afford this long-term massive commitment, fight terrorism at home, address a serious crisis in domestic healthcare, afford behemoth military spending and give away billions in tax cuts amidst a deficit which has climbed to over $340 billion for this year alone? If the President's tax cut passes it will be $400 billion. We cower in the shadows while false statements proliferate. We accept soft answers and shaky explanations because to demand the truth is hard, or unpopular, or may be politically costly.
But, I contend that, through it all, the people know. The American people unfortunately are used to political shading, spin, and the usual chicanery they hear from public officials. They patiently tolerate it up to a point. But there is a line. It may seem to be drawn in invisible ink for a time, but eventually it will appear in dark colors, tinged with anger. When it comes to shedding American blood - - when it comes to wreaking havoc on civilians, on innocent men, women, and children, callous dissembling is not acceptable. Nothing is worth that kind of lie - - not oil, not revenge, not reelection, not somebody's grand pipedream of a democratic domino theory.
And mark my words, the calculated intimidation which we see so often of late by the "powers that be" will only keep the loyal opposition quiet for just so long. Because eventually, like it always does, the truth will emerge. And when it does, this house of cards, built of deceit, will fall.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Indiana Woman Puts Anti-Bush Tattoo on her Head
Polls say Indiana is squarely in the Bush camp. What would cause a woman named Kerra Fowler to shave her head and put a big anti-bush tattoo on skull? Desperation? I ran a Google.com search on Kerra Fowler, and the only thing that came up was a letter she sent to the Central Indiana Mensa Association. I agree with her. That must mean I'm smart. I didn't tattoo my head, does that mean she's smarter or I'm smarter?
There's the old proverb about the difference between being involved and being committed. The chicken is involved in making a bacon and egg breakfast, the pig is committed.
phref="http://www.theindychannel.com/politics/3788886/detail.html">TheIndyChannel.com - Politics - Indiana Woman's Skull Bears Anti-Bush Tattoo
Polls say Indiana is squarely in the Bush camp. What would cause a woman named Kerra Fowler to shave her head and put a big anti-bush tattoo on skull? Desperation? I ran a Google.com search on Kerra Fowler, and the only thing that came up was a letter she sent to the Central Indiana Mensa Association. I agree with her. That must mean I'm smart. I didn't tattoo my head, does that mean she's smarter or I'm smarter?
There's the old proverb about the difference between being involved and being committed. The chicken is involved in making a bacon and egg breakfast, the pig is committed.
phref="http://www.theindychannel.com/politics/3788886/detail.html">TheIndyChannel.com - Politics - Indiana Woman's Skull Bears Anti-Bush Tattoo
Fahrenheit 9/11 is #1 on Amazon.com sales chart
Two days after its release, already 1237 people have taken the time to submit an Amazon.com review. Average customer review 4 out of 5 stars. I have a hunch that most of these reviews are either 0 or 5 stars.
I intend to buy my copy this weekend. I might even buy two & pass one around.
Amazon.com: DVD: Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Two days after its release, already 1237 people have taken the time to submit an Amazon.com review. Average customer review 4 out of 5 stars. I have a hunch that most of these reviews are either 0 or 5 stars.
I intend to buy my copy this weekend. I might even buy two & pass one around.
Amazon.com: DVD: Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Suspicious Florida voter registrations - Another reason to distrust ACORN
The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN was implicated in submitting suspicious voter registrations in Florida.
I don't need another reason to dislike ACORN. I've spent countless hours working on what would have been an easy TILA Case against Household International. The reason why it is difficult is because ACORN settled a class action case against Household that included an mandatory opt-out provision. This is just months after the Attorneys General settled a class action covering mostly the same class with an Opt-in provision. The main reason the Attorneys General settled for less than they would have otherwise against Household was to keep the class an Opt-in class. By making it an opt out class, every time an aggrieved consumer comes to your office with a prospective TILA or HOEPA claim against a Household entity there is a good bet that you'll have to send them away empty-handed no matter how bad the violation unless there is a foreclosure pending.
local6.com - News - FDLE Investigating Suspicious Florida County Voter Applications
The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN was implicated in submitting suspicious voter registrations in Florida.
I don't need another reason to dislike ACORN. I've spent countless hours working on what would have been an easy TILA Case against Household International. The reason why it is difficult is because ACORN settled a class action case against Household that included an mandatory opt-out provision. This is just months after the Attorneys General settled a class action covering mostly the same class with an Opt-in provision. The main reason the Attorneys General settled for less than they would have otherwise against Household was to keep the class an Opt-in class. By making it an opt out class, every time an aggrieved consumer comes to your office with a prospective TILA or HOEPA claim against a Household entity there is a good bet that you'll have to send them away empty-handed no matter how bad the violation unless there is a foreclosure pending.
local6.com - News - FDLE Investigating Suspicious Florida County Voter Applications
Specs on 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid Released
Here's my open plea to General Motors and Daimler Chrysler: License Toyota Hybrid Technology immediately. You will be left behind if you don't. Last year, Toyota's Prius showed that a hybrid car could be an ultra-efficient yet viable daily transportation car. Later this year, Toyota will come out with full hybrid versions of the Highlander and The RX330. Next year, Nissan is planning to release a Hybrid mid-sized Altima using technology licensed from Toyota. Ford claims to have developed its hybrid technology in house for its Escape hybrid SUV, but nevertheless licensed Toyota Technology to avoid patent disputes. All of these vehicles are, to a greater or lesser degree mainstream vehicles that will result in significant hybrid sales. Toyota has publicly said that it will license its technology to all comers. If you don't license the technology now, your competitors who are further down the learning curve will eat you alive. Now on to my assessment of the Honda Accord Hybrid.
Honda has taken a different tack with its hybrids, a "mild" hybrid approach where the electric motor (which Honda calls IMA or intelligent motor assist) kicks in just to give a little boost to the gas engine and to power accessories when the engine shuts down at stoplights etc. The first generation, the Insight, was a little roller-skate of a car that worked to prove the concept. The second generation, on the Civic, showed that it could work in a mass market car, but to some, including me, the Civic Hybrid was a disappointment. It was serviceable but a little pokey compared to the regular civic, and the fuel economy gains were not exceptional, especially on the highway.
Now comes the Accord Hybrid, and the sound you hear is that of the other shoe dropping. Instead of applying the hybrid technology to the bare-bones 4 cylinder model; Honda applied it to the zoomy 6 cylinder with automatic transmission. By combining the IMA electric assist with Honda's VCM (variable cylinder management), a cylinder deactivation system also used on the new Odyssey, Honda has come up with a car that improves the performance of a car that was already near the head of the class in that department, and at the same time blows away the competition when it comes to fuel economy.
The Accord Hybrid combines a 15 horsepower IMA electric motor system with the powerful 3.0 liter 240 horsepower engine of the regular V-6 accord. Honda's VCM system allows the car to shut down half the cylinders during light loads. The result is an ordinary luxury model accord that has EPA ratings of 30/38 and can accelerate from 0-60 in 7.5 seconds. That's with an automatic transmission friends. In so doing, Honda beats the fuel economy of the similarly sized diesel Passat, a car that is about 4 seconds slower 0-60.
With the Hybrid Accord, Honda show's what's possible using state-of the art automotive technology for mass-production popularly priced automobiles. It makes it that much harder for the Big 3 to argue that there's really nothing they can do to improve their fuel economy without hurting expectations of safety or performance.
On the technical side, it's interesting to see what Honda has to say about the relative importance of IMA and VCM on highway and city fuel efficiency:
Combined, these technologies along with improvements in aerodynamics and weight saving features like an aluminum hood, allow the Accord Hybrid to achieve an estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 30 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg highway, up from an EPA-rated 21 city / 30 highway for the Accord EX V-6 Sedan - a fuel economy gain of 43 percent and 23 percent, respectively. The Accord's Integrated Motor Assist System (60%) accounts for over half the gains in city fuel efficiency, while Variable Cylinder Management (15%) and idle stop (25%) is responsible for the rest. During highway cruising, the VCM system (57%) provides the majority of the increase, while IMA (38%) and a lower drag coefficient and greater aerodynamics (5%) also contribute.
I also find interesting the technology that Honda employed to keep vibrations from 3-cylinder operation from spoiling the NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) characteristics of the car:
HONDA ACCORD HYBRID
2005 Honda Accord Hybrid Sedan Overview Part 1
Torrance, Calif. September 17, 2004 --
Introduction
Since the Accord's launch as a compact hatchback car in 1976, it has earned widespread acclaim as a leader in smart design, superb quality and world-class efficiency. In its 28-year history, the Accord has constantly re-invented itself, going from that original compact hatchback to today's premium mid-sized sedan and coupe. The seventh-generation Accord V-6, released in 2003, once again raised the bar for performance, safety and value in the mid-sized segment with a highly efficient and powerful 3.0-liter, 240-horsepower, SOHC VTEC V-6 engine, 4-wheel disc brakes and a standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) on all models, along with standard features such as air conditioning, power windows, mirrors and door locks, and an AM/FM/CD stereo system. In addition, the 7th-generation Accord was one of the first mid-sized sedans to bring luxury features such as a voice-activated navigation system, XM satellite radio and side curtain airbags to the premium mid-size segment.
In 2005, the Accord further establishes its role as a technology, performance and efficiency leader with the introduction of the Accord Hybrid, the world's first V-6-powered gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. Boasting the highest fuel efficiency for a V-6-powered automobile, Accord Hybrid utilizes the third generation of Honda's exclusive Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system featuring new Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. By combining a high-output V-6 engine and IMA with VCM, the Accord Hybrid Sedan provides even more power - 255 hp versus 240hp in the regular Accord V-6 Sedan - while improving fuel efficiency to an estimated 30 mpg city / 37 highway - better than virtually all 4-cylinder mid-sized sedans and similar to that of the compact class Civic Sedan, already a benchmark for fuel efficiency in the compact car class.
Accord Sedan Accolades
Car and Driver's 10Best List - The sixth and seventh generations of Accord have a current streak of 5 consecutive years on the publication's annual review of new cars. In total an Accord has been named to the list in 18 of 21 years the magazine has compiled this list, the most of any car in over two decades of the magazine's award.
Automobile Magazine
50 Hottest New Cars (2003)
Perfect 10 (1996) - One of 10 most significant cars between 1986-1996)
Intellichoice
2003 - Best Overall Value, Mid-sized Car under and over $21,000
2000-2002 - Best Overall Value, Mid-sized Car under and over $20,500
Maxim Magazine 2004 Car of the Year - Accord 6-Speed EX V-6 Coupe
Consumer Digest 2004 Best Buy, Family Car
Edmunds.com
Best Family Car (Comparison Test, 1/2003)
2004 Consumer's Most Wanted - Sedan under $25,000
The Honda Accord Hybrid Sedan is designed to show that a hybrid powertrain can be an important component in the mainstream of America's automotive landscape that provides exceptional fuel economy while still improving power, performance and comfort.
With the introduction of the 2000 Insight - America's first hybrid-powered car and still the leader of the EPA's annual fuel economy ratings - Honda has been at the forefront of hybrid technology. The company followed up the Insight with a hybrid version of America's best-selling small car, the Civic Hybrid, introduced in March 2002 as the first truly mainstream hybrid and the first application of hybrid technology to an existing, high volume vehicle. With the addition of the Accord Hybrid, Honda becomes the only car company in the United States with three hybrid models available to consumers.
While using a more powerful and efficient version of Honda's IMA system, the Accord Hybrid Sedan also incorporates new, leading edge technologies that engineers are also applying to Honda's main line of cars and trucks.
Among these advanced technologies are its Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system that allows for deactivation of three of the engine's six cylinders during cruising. The system also features an Active Control Engine Mount (ACM) an Active Noise Control (ANC) system to eliminate the potential effects of three-cylinder operation on cabin noise and engine vibration. This same technology is also being applied on the all-new 2005 Odyssey minivan equipped with the available i-VTEC engine. In addition, the Accord hybrid utilizes a dual scroll hybrid air conditioning compressor that is both belt (engine) and electric motor driven, allowing for more efficient operation of the Accord Hybrid's dual zone automatic climate control system even when the engine is in idle stop mode.
Active Noise Control has been used on other cars including several luxury models and the Chevrolet Corvette. It involves generating a noise signal of opposite polarity of the noise coming into the cabin in an effort to cancel out the offending sound. I have never heard of Active Engine Mounts before, I'm wondering if the engine mounts can be electromagnetically controlled to oppose the polarity of the engine firing. That would be a new one.
There's no word yet on pricing for the Hybrid Accord, but Honda's approach to hybrid technology has been to reject the technologies that are the most expensive to implement (read that - Toyota's), so to be vindicated, they'll have to demonstrate a price advantage. Honda's components don't appear to weigh very much. In the long run, the cost of an automobile tends to vary directly with its weight and parts count. Small electric motors and small batteries weigh lest and cost less than large ones. VCM shouldn't cost much. The market would probably support a price premium of $2000-5000 for the Hybrid Accord, with more in the short run and less in the long run. In the long run after initial technology amortization, honda could implement this technology for less than $2000, and at that price, you'd have to save 1000 gallons of gas at $2.00 per gallon to make it worthwhile on a cost basis alone, that would take about 80,000 of mixed driving, or less than half the useful life of a typical Accord.
automobiles.honda.com: The American Honda Motor Company Site
Car of the Year Contenders
With the Honda Accord Hybrid, it seems to me that the Car of the Year honors will mostly be a three-car heat. The early money was on the Chrysler 300C. It brings Mercedes technology at a Chrysler price with a Bling Bling version of Bently styling. Next was the Scion TC, Toyota put a Camry engine in a (relatively) light weight coupe, priced it right and came up with a winner. Finally the Accord Hybrid takes a bunch of technology that for years has been just around the corner, and puts it together in a package that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Truck of the Year Contenders
I'll be honest with you, I'm not a big truck fan. For what you spend annually on a truck over a car, the average homeowner can pay somebody to fix just about anything that goes wrong with his/her house. I'd say either the Dodge Caravan/ Chrysler Town & Country or the Ford Escape. Granted, both of those started out with a car platform, but then again, I'm not a big truck fan.
Here's my open plea to General Motors and Daimler Chrysler: License Toyota Hybrid Technology immediately. You will be left behind if you don't. Last year, Toyota's Prius showed that a hybrid car could be an ultra-efficient yet viable daily transportation car. Later this year, Toyota will come out with full hybrid versions of the Highlander and The RX330. Next year, Nissan is planning to release a Hybrid mid-sized Altima using technology licensed from Toyota. Ford claims to have developed its hybrid technology in house for its Escape hybrid SUV, but nevertheless licensed Toyota Technology to avoid patent disputes. All of these vehicles are, to a greater or lesser degree mainstream vehicles that will result in significant hybrid sales. Toyota has publicly said that it will license its technology to all comers. If you don't license the technology now, your competitors who are further down the learning curve will eat you alive. Now on to my assessment of the Honda Accord Hybrid.
Honda has taken a different tack with its hybrids, a "mild" hybrid approach where the electric motor (which Honda calls IMA or intelligent motor assist) kicks in just to give a little boost to the gas engine and to power accessories when the engine shuts down at stoplights etc. The first generation, the Insight, was a little roller-skate of a car that worked to prove the concept. The second generation, on the Civic, showed that it could work in a mass market car, but to some, including me, the Civic Hybrid was a disappointment. It was serviceable but a little pokey compared to the regular civic, and the fuel economy gains were not exceptional, especially on the highway.
Now comes the Accord Hybrid, and the sound you hear is that of the other shoe dropping. Instead of applying the hybrid technology to the bare-bones 4 cylinder model; Honda applied it to the zoomy 6 cylinder with automatic transmission. By combining the IMA electric assist with Honda's VCM (variable cylinder management), a cylinder deactivation system also used on the new Odyssey, Honda has come up with a car that improves the performance of a car that was already near the head of the class in that department, and at the same time blows away the competition when it comes to fuel economy.
The Accord Hybrid combines a 15 horsepower IMA electric motor system with the powerful 3.0 liter 240 horsepower engine of the regular V-6 accord. Honda's VCM system allows the car to shut down half the cylinders during light loads. The result is an ordinary luxury model accord that has EPA ratings of 30/38 and can accelerate from 0-60 in 7.5 seconds. That's with an automatic transmission friends. In so doing, Honda beats the fuel economy of the similarly sized diesel Passat, a car that is about 4 seconds slower 0-60.
With the Hybrid Accord, Honda show's what's possible using state-of the art automotive technology for mass-production popularly priced automobiles. It makes it that much harder for the Big 3 to argue that there's really nothing they can do to improve their fuel economy without hurting expectations of safety or performance.
On the technical side, it's interesting to see what Honda has to say about the relative importance of IMA and VCM on highway and city fuel efficiency:
Combined, these technologies along with improvements in aerodynamics and weight saving features like an aluminum hood, allow the Accord Hybrid to achieve an estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 30 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg highway, up from an EPA-rated 21 city / 30 highway for the Accord EX V-6 Sedan - a fuel economy gain of 43 percent and 23 percent, respectively. The Accord's Integrated Motor Assist System (60%) accounts for over half the gains in city fuel efficiency, while Variable Cylinder Management (15%) and idle stop (25%) is responsible for the rest. During highway cruising, the VCM system (57%) provides the majority of the increase, while IMA (38%) and a lower drag coefficient and greater aerodynamics (5%) also contribute.
I also find interesting the technology that Honda employed to keep vibrations from 3-cylinder operation from spoiling the NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) characteristics of the car:
HONDA ACCORD HYBRID
2005 Honda Accord Hybrid Sedan Overview Part 1
Torrance, Calif. September 17, 2004 --
Introduction
Since the Accord's launch as a compact hatchback car in 1976, it has earned widespread acclaim as a leader in smart design, superb quality and world-class efficiency. In its 28-year history, the Accord has constantly re-invented itself, going from that original compact hatchback to today's premium mid-sized sedan and coupe. The seventh-generation Accord V-6, released in 2003, once again raised the bar for performance, safety and value in the mid-sized segment with a highly efficient and powerful 3.0-liter, 240-horsepower, SOHC VTEC V-6 engine, 4-wheel disc brakes and a standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) on all models, along with standard features such as air conditioning, power windows, mirrors and door locks, and an AM/FM/CD stereo system. In addition, the 7th-generation Accord was one of the first mid-sized sedans to bring luxury features such as a voice-activated navigation system, XM satellite radio and side curtain airbags to the premium mid-size segment.
In 2005, the Accord further establishes its role as a technology, performance and efficiency leader with the introduction of the Accord Hybrid, the world's first V-6-powered gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. Boasting the highest fuel efficiency for a V-6-powered automobile, Accord Hybrid utilizes the third generation of Honda's exclusive Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system featuring new Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. By combining a high-output V-6 engine and IMA with VCM, the Accord Hybrid Sedan provides even more power - 255 hp versus 240hp in the regular Accord V-6 Sedan - while improving fuel efficiency to an estimated 30 mpg city / 37 highway - better than virtually all 4-cylinder mid-sized sedans and similar to that of the compact class Civic Sedan, already a benchmark for fuel efficiency in the compact car class.
Accord Sedan Accolades
Car and Driver's 10Best List - The sixth and seventh generations of Accord have a current streak of 5 consecutive years on the publication's annual review of new cars. In total an Accord has been named to the list in 18 of 21 years the magazine has compiled this list, the most of any car in over two decades of the magazine's award.
Automobile Magazine
50 Hottest New Cars (2003)
Perfect 10 (1996) - One of 10 most significant cars between 1986-1996)
Intellichoice
2003 - Best Overall Value, Mid-sized Car under and over $21,000
2000-2002 - Best Overall Value, Mid-sized Car under and over $20,500
Maxim Magazine 2004 Car of the Year - Accord 6-Speed EX V-6 Coupe
Consumer Digest 2004 Best Buy, Family Car
Edmunds.com
Best Family Car (Comparison Test, 1/2003)
2004 Consumer's Most Wanted - Sedan under $25,000
The Honda Accord Hybrid Sedan is designed to show that a hybrid powertrain can be an important component in the mainstream of America's automotive landscape that provides exceptional fuel economy while still improving power, performance and comfort.
With the introduction of the 2000 Insight - America's first hybrid-powered car and still the leader of the EPA's annual fuel economy ratings - Honda has been at the forefront of hybrid technology. The company followed up the Insight with a hybrid version of America's best-selling small car, the Civic Hybrid, introduced in March 2002 as the first truly mainstream hybrid and the first application of hybrid technology to an existing, high volume vehicle. With the addition of the Accord Hybrid, Honda becomes the only car company in the United States with three hybrid models available to consumers.
While using a more powerful and efficient version of Honda's IMA system, the Accord Hybrid Sedan also incorporates new, leading edge technologies that engineers are also applying to Honda's main line of cars and trucks.
Among these advanced technologies are its Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system that allows for deactivation of three of the engine's six cylinders during cruising. The system also features an Active Control Engine Mount (ACM) an Active Noise Control (ANC) system to eliminate the potential effects of three-cylinder operation on cabin noise and engine vibration. This same technology is also being applied on the all-new 2005 Odyssey minivan equipped with the available i-VTEC engine. In addition, the Accord hybrid utilizes a dual scroll hybrid air conditioning compressor that is both belt (engine) and electric motor driven, allowing for more efficient operation of the Accord Hybrid's dual zone automatic climate control system even when the engine is in idle stop mode.
Active Noise Control has been used on other cars including several luxury models and the Chevrolet Corvette. It involves generating a noise signal of opposite polarity of the noise coming into the cabin in an effort to cancel out the offending sound. I have never heard of Active Engine Mounts before, I'm wondering if the engine mounts can be electromagnetically controlled to oppose the polarity of the engine firing. That would be a new one.
There's no word yet on pricing for the Hybrid Accord, but Honda's approach to hybrid technology has been to reject the technologies that are the most expensive to implement (read that - Toyota's), so to be vindicated, they'll have to demonstrate a price advantage. Honda's components don't appear to weigh very much. In the long run, the cost of an automobile tends to vary directly with its weight and parts count. Small electric motors and small batteries weigh lest and cost less than large ones. VCM shouldn't cost much. The market would probably support a price premium of $2000-5000 for the Hybrid Accord, with more in the short run and less in the long run. In the long run after initial technology amortization, honda could implement this technology for less than $2000, and at that price, you'd have to save 1000 gallons of gas at $2.00 per gallon to make it worthwhile on a cost basis alone, that would take about 80,000 of mixed driving, or less than half the useful life of a typical Accord.
automobiles.honda.com: The American Honda Motor Company Site
Car of the Year Contenders
With the Honda Accord Hybrid, it seems to me that the Car of the Year honors will mostly be a three-car heat. The early money was on the Chrysler 300C. It brings Mercedes technology at a Chrysler price with a Bling Bling version of Bently styling. Next was the Scion TC, Toyota put a Camry engine in a (relatively) light weight coupe, priced it right and came up with a winner. Finally the Accord Hybrid takes a bunch of technology that for years has been just around the corner, and puts it together in a package that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Truck of the Year Contenders
I'll be honest with you, I'm not a big truck fan. For what you spend annually on a truck over a car, the average homeowner can pay somebody to fix just about anything that goes wrong with his/her house. I'd say either the Dodge Caravan/ Chrysler Town & Country or the Ford Escape. Granted, both of those started out with a car platform, but then again, I'm not a big truck fan.
Mike Moore passes out clean underwear.
Michael Moore has been trying to rally "the slacker vote" by offering clean underwear to any guy who registers. Note, you don't normally think of clean fresh smelling clothes and Michael Moore at the same time, but registering to vote is good, so what the heck.
Michael Moore.com : Mike's Message : Messages
Michael Moore has been trying to rally "the slacker vote" by offering clean underwear to any guy who registers. Note, you don't normally think of clean fresh smelling clothes and Michael Moore at the same time, but registering to vote is good, so what the heck.
Michael Moore.com : Mike's Message : Messages
House passes anti-spyware bill
The House passed a measure that would, among other things, ban software that changes your homepage without permission and disables your anti-virus software. While I believe that something is necessary, I am sceptical about Congress being able to keep track of developments in spyware. Spyware is an attitude more than a technique. If you ban one, they'll come up with another. I know if I were the one drafting the legislation, I'd have a hard time defining "home page" or "anti-virus software".
House approves spyware legislation | Tech News on ZDNet
The House passed a measure that would, among other things, ban software that changes your homepage without permission and disables your anti-virus software. While I believe that something is necessary, I am sceptical about Congress being able to keep track of developments in spyware. Spyware is an attitude more than a technique. If you ban one, they'll come up with another. I know if I were the one drafting the legislation, I'd have a hard time defining "home page" or "anti-virus software".
House approves spyware legislation | Tech News on ZDNet
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
U.S. Supreme Court to determine Truth-In-Lending Act Damages - in a Puppy Dog Car Sale Case
For years there has been a split among the Federal Circuits regarding whether Truth-In-Lending Act statutory damages are capped at $1000 for non-mortgage cases. The Supreme Court will soon decide the issue. I find interesting that of all the cases that have been offered to resolve this, they chose a car loan case involving a puppy-dog sale (a/k/a a "yo-yo sale, a/k/a "gimme back" sale). The car lenders like to call this on the spot financing. I like to call it on the spot coercion and deception. In a puppy dog sale, a dealer tells the customer that she (Most of the customer victims are women, with a disproportionate share being African-American.) has been approved for financing, and the customer leaves with the new car. A day or so later, the dealer calls the customer and says that "the lender" denied financing, and the customer has to bring the car back. They'll need a cosigner, or a downpayment, or a higher interest rate, whatever.
If you are a UAW-LSP attorney who confronts one of these, check in with our consumer group. We have several attorneys who are familiar with this. If you are a non-UAW-LSP attorney with one of these cases, network with a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates (www.naca.net), and/or talk with someone at the National Association of Consumer Advocates (www.consumerlaw.org). These cases aren't usually too hard to defend as long as your client is not too greedy or too flakey. The usual result is simply getting the deal that the client was originally expecting, or getting the deal unwound completely, and getting the client's money back. A private attorney can usually negotiate enough to get a reasonable attorney fee paid. When I was in private practice, I found it was difficult to go beyond this, not because of problems with the case, but because the clients were usually too unstable to be relied upon in the long-term litigation that the dealers wanted to put us through.
You may be wondering why the term "Puppy Dog"? These sales got the name puppy dog because the dealer wants you to fall in love with the car when you take it home, show it off to your friends, and get you so invested in the car that you'd agree to anything to keep the car. It's like taking a new puppy home, hence the name.
Which way is the Supreme Court going to go? I'm not sure, but honestly, I think this is one that Congress should have weighed in on years ago. If the Supreme Court botches it, it's because Congress didn't proofread it's statute well enough when TILA was revised a decade ago. If the Supreme Court rules that there is no $1000 cap, the lobbyists will march to Washington to get what they want, and they'll probably get their way.
CNN.com - Top court�looks at�misleading car loan damages - Oct 5, 2004
For years there has been a split among the Federal Circuits regarding whether Truth-In-Lending Act statutory damages are capped at $1000 for non-mortgage cases. The Supreme Court will soon decide the issue. I find interesting that of all the cases that have been offered to resolve this, they chose a car loan case involving a puppy-dog sale (a/k/a a "yo-yo sale, a/k/a "gimme back" sale). The car lenders like to call this on the spot financing. I like to call it on the spot coercion and deception. In a puppy dog sale, a dealer tells the customer that she (Most of the customer victims are women, with a disproportionate share being African-American.) has been approved for financing, and the customer leaves with the new car. A day or so later, the dealer calls the customer and says that "the lender" denied financing, and the customer has to bring the car back. They'll need a cosigner, or a downpayment, or a higher interest rate, whatever.
If you are a UAW-LSP attorney who confronts one of these, check in with our consumer group. We have several attorneys who are familiar with this. If you are a non-UAW-LSP attorney with one of these cases, network with a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates (www.naca.net), and/or talk with someone at the National Association of Consumer Advocates (www.consumerlaw.org). These cases aren't usually too hard to defend as long as your client is not too greedy or too flakey. The usual result is simply getting the deal that the client was originally expecting, or getting the deal unwound completely, and getting the client's money back. A private attorney can usually negotiate enough to get a reasonable attorney fee paid. When I was in private practice, I found it was difficult to go beyond this, not because of problems with the case, but because the clients were usually too unstable to be relied upon in the long-term litigation that the dealers wanted to put us through.
You may be wondering why the term "Puppy Dog"? These sales got the name puppy dog because the dealer wants you to fall in love with the car when you take it home, show it off to your friends, and get you so invested in the car that you'd agree to anything to keep the car. It's like taking a new puppy home, hence the name.
Which way is the Supreme Court going to go? I'm not sure, but honestly, I think this is one that Congress should have weighed in on years ago. If the Supreme Court botches it, it's because Congress didn't proofread it's statute well enough when TILA was revised a decade ago. If the Supreme Court rules that there is no $1000 cap, the lobbyists will march to Washington to get what they want, and they'll probably get their way.
CNN.com - Top court�looks at�misleading car loan damages - Oct 5, 2004
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Scientists win Nobel Prize for the 'Theory of Everything'
Three American scientists won the nobel prize in Physics for their theory on why attraction between quarks increases as they get farther apart. Their theory "absence makes the quarks grow fonder", is a real hit among these science types. It is reported to be the key to a "theory of everything." Of course, nerds junior-grade, like me, still think the answer to life, the universe and everything is 42. (If you understand the reference, congratulations, you're in the club.)
Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage
Three American scientists won the nobel prize in Physics for their theory on why attraction between quarks increases as they get farther apart. Their theory "absence makes the quarks grow fonder", is a real hit among these science types. It is reported to be the key to a "theory of everything." Of course, nerds junior-grade, like me, still think the answer to life, the universe and everything is 42. (If you understand the reference, congratulations, you're in the club.)
Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage
IRAQ General Murdered by GIs
Oops. Sorry. I sure am glad that we have the moral high ground on this Iraq thing.
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Iraq general murdered by GIs: U.S.
Oops. Sorry. I sure am glad that we have the moral high ground on this Iraq thing.
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Iraq general murdered by GIs: U.S.
IRAQ General Murdered by GIs
Oops. Sorry. I sure am glad that we have the moral high ground on this Iraq thing.
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Iraq general murdered by GIs: U.S.
Oops. Sorry. I sure am glad that we have the moral high ground on this Iraq thing.
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Iraq general murdered by GIs: U.S.
Monday, October 04, 2004
Great White Shark Spotted in California!
It's ok, it's in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They have kept a juvenile Great White Shark alive in captivity for 3 weeks now. Believe it or not, that's a record. The website reports the shark is healthy and is eating salmon presented on a stick.
Monterey Bay Aquarium: Conservation and Research - White Shark Research
It's ok, it's in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They have kept a juvenile Great White Shark alive in captivity for 3 weeks now. Believe it or not, that's a record. The website reports the shark is healthy and is eating salmon presented on a stick.
Monterey Bay Aquarium: Conservation and Research - White Shark Research
Great White Shark Spotted in California!
It's ok, it's in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They have kept a juvenile Great White Shark alive in captivity for 3 weeks now. Believe it or not, that's a record. The website reports the shark is healthy and is eating salmon presented on a stick.
Monterey Bay Aquarium: Conservation and Research - White Shark Research
It's ok, it's in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They have kept a juvenile Great White Shark alive in captivity for 3 weeks now. Believe it or not, that's a record. The website reports the shark is healthy and is eating salmon presented on a stick.
Monterey Bay Aquarium: Conservation and Research - White Shark Research
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